Rent a Car from Christchurch to Queenstown

The Christchurch to Queenstown road trip is considered as one of the best adventures in New Zealand. The route is filled with stunning scenic locations of lakes, mountains, national parks and hot water springs. Both locals and foreigners are fond of this trip in the South Island of New Zealand. Christchurch and Queenstown are the 2 largest cities of this island and you can easily rent a car to explore this adventurous drive between the two.

Cheapest One-Way Car Rental For Christchurch to Queenstown Road Trip

Are you planning to take up this one-of-a-kind road trip in New Zealand? Start by booking a car rental with us at the most affordable rates. We offer a wide range of vehicles for a one-way rental from Christchurch to Queenstown. Along with this we have a strong association with the top-notch suppliers available at both the locations, which helps the customers to have excellent one-way experience. If you have any rental related queries for the road trip, you can contract our 24/7 customer support we shall help you through the queries and also find the best deal.

Car Categories to Rent for Christchurch to Queenstown One-Way Trip

  • A compact car will cater to you the best if you are travelling as a couple or a group of 4-5 persons. There will be a decent space for luggage and you will get unlimited kilometres.
  • Economical cars are easy on the pocket so you can plan a budget trip and they also offer Hybrid cars which save a lot of fuel. 4-5 persons can easily fit in any car from economical range.
  • If you are looking for a spacious car with ample leg room and luggage space then you can go for full size or standard cars in which you will also get the option to rent pick-up trucks or a station wagon.
  • SUV is the most popular category among the renters in New Zealand as they are powerful with more ground clearance for the difficult terrains. You will cross through the hilly areas on this road trip so SUVs can be a good pick.
  • Minivans/Vans are the convenient options for large groups as they can cater from 8 to 12 passengers with ample space for luggage as well. There is a wide range of vans to choose from for this location.

Christchurch to Queenstown – Drive Time & Distance

The best route for the Christchurch to Queenstown trip is via State Highway 8 (SH 8). There are various attractions and tourist spots on the way and you can explore the route fully on a rental car.

Popular Pick-up Location (Christchurch)Popular Drop-off Location (Queenstown)DistanceTime (approx.)
Christchurch Airport (CHC)Queenstown Airport (ZQN)470-475 kms5:30 – 6 hrs

Places to Visit on One-Way Christchurch to Queenstown Road Trip

New Zealand is full of naturally beautiful spots across both islands. The road trip from Christchurch to Queenstown in South Island is famous for its scenic locations which you can explore on the way. We have listed some of the top sites for this route.

Christchurch to Queenstown Road Trip PlannerDistanceTime (approx.)
Christchurch to Rakaia Gorge88 kms1 hr 9 min
Rakaia Gorge to Geraldine82 kms56 min
Geraldine to Lake Tekapo88 kms1 hr 4 min
Lake Tekapo to Alpine Lavender Farm55 kms37 min
Alpine Lavender Farm to Mount Cook National Park44 kms33 min
Mount Cook National Park to Twizel67 kms47 min
Twizel to Omarama34 kms24 min
Omarama to Lake Wanaka114 kms1 hr 21 min
Lake Wanaka to Arrowtown55 kms54 min
Arrowtown to Queenstown20 kms20 min

Tips to Rent a Car for Christchurch to Queenstown One-Way Trip

  • For Extras like winter tyres, toddler seats, GPS etc., you can request the supplier through our website. Select a car you want to rent then proceed further to avail the Extras. All the details regarding the payment for extras will be mentioned.
  • On our website, you can filter out the search results to show only automatic or manual transmission cars or petrol/diesel/hybrid/electric cars. When you filter the results as per your preference, the comparison becomes easier and faster.
  • You can select a drop-off and pick-up location from a list of locations available at our website. In the search box, select the ‘Different Drop-off Location?’ button.
  • You should choose an unlimited mileage option when renting a car for a road trip. Several suppliers at our website offer this advantage.
  • If the driving licence from the home country is not written in the Roman alphabet, an International Driving Permit (IDP) will be needed.
  • To get the most discounted prices and a wide range of vehicles, reserve your rental car well in advance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the age requirements for hiring a van for one-way Christchurch to Queenstown?

While some of the suppliers like Thrifty, Dollar and Ace, also accept a minimum of 18 years, most car rental companies need a minimum of 21 years to hire a car. For drivers under the age of 25, there may be a Young Driver Surcharge. For information about age limitations and surcharges, read the Rental Terms carefully.

To rent a van for one-way Christchurch to Queenstown you need to have following documents:

  • Valid Driver’s Licence
  • Credit Card in the name of driver
  • National ID proof and Passport
  • Rental Confirmation Voucher

The best time to go on a Christchurch to Queenstown road trip will be December to February when the summer season is on in New Zealand. The weather is warm and ideal for outdoor activities.

We provide a list of locations to choose as your drop-off location. While entering your details in the search box, tick the box which says ‘Different Drop-off Location?’ and select any location in Queenstown.

Yes, at our website you can hire a 8-seater van from the top rental companies. Enter your trip details in the search box and select your preferred pick-up and drop-off location then proceed ahead to see the range of vans or minivans for this route.

The cost of hiring a 12-seater van depends upon factors such as rental company, rental duration, time of the year, pick and drop locations. We have various rental suppliers on our website which offer 12-seater vans for one-way trip on this route. Use the search engine to enter your details then filter the results to display only vans with ‘8 or more seats’.

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